I have problems with so called conservative justices sometimes also when they like to twist their reasoning to justify illegal police searches etc after the fact. That is why I like a conservative Judge to have a little bit of a libertarian streak in them like Scalia had at times.

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Well, I am impressed with your observation! Scalia was not a "conservative" in criminal cases. He often sided with the liberal judges in criminal/constitutional rights case.

Jackson was always going to do this, but it does put more pressure on the VA judge.

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Judge Jackson cited the Virginia case as part of her discussion of the links. I would be surprised if Judge Ellis rules differently. He was pissed that Mueller's office did not give him the unredacted August 2 memo and was letting Mueller know who is boss. As he said, "I'll be the Judge."

Well its what she is. I glanced over it and it comes off as an argument a Judge would make trying to find any way to justify some of Muellers mess.

Who knows maybe Ellis will see some things the same but I doubt all of it or even the main points.

What happens if he rules differently - could we get a quick decision by an appeals court to take this? Do they fall under the same appeals court even?

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If Judge Ellis rules for Manafort, there would likely be a quick appeal to the 4th Circuit unless the government re-indicts Manafort through the local US Attorney's office.

If the 4th Circuit rules for Manafort, Judge Jackson would likely reconsider her ruling (although the facts are different and those differences might suggest a different result). There would likely be a quick appeal of the 4th Circuit decision to the Supreme Court.

Judge Jackson cited the Virginia case as part of her discussion of the links. I would be surprised if Judge Ellis rules differently. He was pissed that Mueller's office did not give him the unredacted August 2 memo and was letting Mueller know who is boss. As he said, "I'll be the Judge."

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Yep. Judges don't have a lot of tolerance for being jerked around. People are wrong to assume because a judge chews out one side, he'll side with the other.

LOL I'm guessing judges don't appreciate someone trying to play them. Assuming that someone is able to make into the courtroom.

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I'd say the majority of federal judges are good judges and fair people. Another big chunk aren't good judges, but they're fair people. And there are a small minority who aren't good judges or fair people. Some get exposed and shamed off the bench (or removed). Some unfortunately hold onto their job until retirement.

Good judges know there are cases where they'll have to hold their nose and rule against their personal wishes because the law is the law. The law isn't always fair and just.

Doesn't one take precedence over the other? Supremacy Clause? How can one crime be tried by two different courts?

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The two Federal District Judges (one in Va. and one in DC) are sister courts. Essentially on the same level in the federal court system. They are free to disagree with each other on the law, if they ultimately do. Rulings by the Fourth Circuit, which is the federal appellate court for federal courts in Va. bind courts in the 4th Circuit, but not federal courts in DC (which is in the DC Circuit). But, rulings in the 4th Circuit would be persuasive in the DC District Courts. The Supremacy clause makes federal laws supreme over conflicting state laws or areas occupied by federal law, subject to constitutional considerations such as the Commerce Clause. The Supremacy Clause has no bearing on the Manafort motions and rulings. The judges could render different rulings if they see the cases differently. Judge Ellis has not yet ruled. He may see the facts in rje case in Va., which charges different crimes in a different way than the Judge in DC saw them. There is great commonality in the legal arguments, however, many of which have been made in other special counsel cases.